A Republican Texas state legislator has proposed slapping people who “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” hire an unauthorized immigrant with up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

But the measure exempts those who hire unauthorized immigrants “for the purpose of obtaining labor or other work to be performed exclusively or primarily at a single-family residence in which the (employer) resides.” This includes such workers as maids and groundskeepers.
The exception was geared toward not “stifling the economic engine” in Texas, Jon English, chief of staff for Texas Rep. Debbie Riddle, told the Texas Tribune.

“It is an admittedly clumsy first attempt to say, ‘We are really focusing on the big businesses,’” English said in the story.

Defending the exemption to CNN, Republican Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena said: “When it comes to household employees or yard workers it is extremely common for Texans to hire people who are likely undocumented workers. It is so common it is overlooked.”